I'm sure I saw some preview videos during the beta that showed off spellcasters being able to aim their spells like an archer would a bow. It even had an aiming reticule.

I specifically chose to play a magic user to try this out, but there seems to be no way to actually aim a spell.

Now I'm hearing that players use the binoculars to line up their shot (no reticule), instead of it being an actual part of the spellcasting moveset.

Was this feature removed from the final game?

Heard the same thing about the ability to charge spells being removed. I guess they figured magic is too powerful? I tried to see if there was an aiming toggle but no luck either.

I think you need to use your catalyst with two hands to aim spells and then you activate it aim-mode like a bow.

Interesting. Can someone confirm dual handing allows free aiming? I won't be able to try until tomorrow.

Not true, I tried it and it just raises the staff as if he was blocking. Tried clicking in L3 since that's the only button that's unassigned for anything but nope.

ENB just put up a video where he mentions that by putting binoculars in the shield slot, you can use it aim spells.

Since he worked on the players guide, I imagine he wouldn't have mentioned it as THE way, if there was another way.

That's a shame. Although I'm finding the targeting range of spells have greatly improved, and it's a lot faster to cast, especially with high attunement. So the sorcerer is quite fun now. It just would have been even better if it could aim easily.

@probablytuna said:

Well that's a shame, think I heard that it would work that way when people where playing the beta. Will get my copy of the game tomorrow but I will probably not start as a sorcerer knowing that the cool changes to magic didn't make it into the final game.

Some people have mentioned on another thread that From likely took the mechanic out between the beta and final release. Since it's my first time playing a sorcerer for real, I'm liking it so far. The supposedly new (now removed) features like aiming/charging spells don't bother me too much and besides, at least they didn't remove every change to the magic system (like the stat that lowers casting time).

I believe Sorc will eventually be the most powerful class but it isn't right off the bat anymore.